NOF Successfully Closes 2012 with a Significant Gift from the LeFrak Family

Mrs. Ethel LeFrak

WASHINGTON, DC (January 15, 2013) – Thanks to a generous gift from The Samuel J. & Ethel LeFrak Charitable Trust, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), the nation’s leading health organization dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and broken bones, met its Generations of Strength fundraising goal one year early. NOF launched the Generations of Strength initiative in September 2011 with the goal of raising $2 million in two years to improve patient care for the most vulnerable – those who have broken bones due to osteoporosis – and to protect future generations from the disease.

Mrs. Ethel LeFrak of New York City is known nationally and internationally for her cultural, educational and philanthropic leadership and appreciates the impact of osteoporosis firsthand as it has caused her to suffer many broken bones over the last few years. As a long‐time supporter of NOF, Mrs. LeFrak has worked to raise public awareness for osteoporosis in an effort to protect her daughters and future generations from the debilitating disease.

“With this generous gift from the LeFrak family, I am thrilled to announce that we have met our Generations of Strength fundraising goal one year early. As a result, we are making significant strides in improving the care and support available for those with osteoporosis as well as creating the tools and resources needed to protect future generations from this disease,” said NOF Executive Director and CEO, Amy Porter. “As we have for the past 12 years, we look forward to continuing to work with the LeFrak family to raise awareness for bone health and osteoporosis.”

Mrs. LeFrak’s recent gift not only helps NOF reach its Generations of Strength fundraising goal, it also establishes a permanent award in her honor. Every year, The Ethel LeFrak Award will be given to an individual whose stature and high level of accomplishment bring national attention to the issue of osteoporosis and whose efforts help improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the disease. In September, Dr. Ethel Siris, Director of the Toni Stabile Osteoporosis Center at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, will receive The Ethel LeFrak Award in recognition of her efforts to prevent osteoporosis and broken bones through her life’s work as a clinician, clinical investigator and medical educator.

“The LeFrak family believes in the important work of NOF and Dr. Ethel Siris,” said Mrs. LeFrak’s daughter, Denise LeFrak Calicchio. “We hope this gift will encourage everyone to ask when they should receive a bone density test and to support the great work of NOF. When your bones are healthy, you feel like you can do anything.”

Designed to encourage conversations about osteoporosis among men and women of all ages, NOF created the Generations of Strength initiative to better support the 44 million Americans living with or at‐risk of osteoporosis and broken bones and to protect future generations from the disease. Funds raised through Generations of Strength allow NOF to continue its efforts to develop a standard of care for osteoporosis, ensure patients receive the treatment and follow‐up care needed to fully recover from and avoid additional broken bones, and create new tools and resources to educate healthcare professionals and people of all ages on the importance of building strong bones for life and protecting against osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and more likely to break. In fact, two million bone breaks occur every year in the U.S. due to osteoporosis, often resulting in immobility, pain, placement in a nursing home, isolation and other health problems.

Keeping osteoporosis on the national health agenda requires the active participation of civic and philanthropic leaders and NOF gratefully recognizes Mrs. Ethel LeFrak and her family as among its most steadfast and involved contributors. The family’s generosity and involvement over the past 12 years helps raise awareness for osteoporosis and inspires countless others to join NOF’s efforts.

Visit www.nof.org to learn more about the Generations of Strength initiative and NOF’s efforts to support the 44 million Americans affected by osteoporosis.